CRÈME BRINGS A GLOBAL APPROACH TO DESIGN OF SHERATON KAGOSHIMA
First International Hotel in Region Embodies Local Community, Craft and Culture

| Kagoshima, Japan - June 26, 2023 |  Multidisciplinary Brooklyn-based design firm, CRÈME, has taken its talents to Japan with the opening of Sheraton Kagoshima, the area's first internationally branded hotel. Sheraton Kagoshima is a distinctive hotel that introduces Sheraton's global and modern design concept and brand vision for the first time in Japan.

Located ten minutes from tourist attractions in the seaside city on the island of Kyushu, the property includes a lively lobby, multiple dining spaces including all day options, an izakaya, a top floor signature restaurant and bar, along with a spa and hot spring, club lounge, café and special event spaces that include a bridal salon and lounge. Designed by CRÈME, each of the hotel’s public environments reflects the common concept of blending traditional Japanese customs and traditions, particularly those local to Kagoshima, with contemporary western styles.

CRÈME was tasked with creating a unique and memorable experience for local visitors and guests of the Sheraton Kagoshima. The design team drew inspiration from the region’s culture, incorporating elements of the area’s history and traditions into the design. CRÈME’s design of Sheraton Kagoshima brings craft, nature, and community into the hotel.

“I wanted to create an experience where you can immerse yourself in a unique environment that reflects local culture. I feel that we were able to create a hotel that offers a memorable experience,” says designer and architect Jun Aizaki, Founder and Principal of CRÈME.

Lobby Area - A Modern “Public Square”
At the heart of Sheraton Kagoshima is the lobby, an inviting space that opens up to the city. Brought to life by CRÈME, this has been re-imagined as a new living room or “Public Square” of the hotel; a holistic, open space that includes six stepped areas featuring comfortable seating in four levels of height that creates a lively and cohesive environment. The lobby’s dynamic atmosphere welcomes guests with a double-height atrium that expands vertically with a focal point greenery wall that brings the outdoors inside and warm, natural lighting. Reception counters are constructed in traditional Japanese rammed-earth fabrication, Hanchiku, inspired by strata and the variety of geological features of Kagoshima.

The lobby features custom, double-height murals by notable New York artists Fanny Allié and Yael Caffrey, while the dining spaces are decorated with traditional Japanese artwork and artifacts. Artwork at different scales, rich materials with natural tones and textures create an extension of the city with engaging community spaces that allow visitors to relax, meet, or work.

“Based on our design philosophy, we divided the public square, the face of the hotel, into six different zones. By arranging them, we hope to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere in each area, and create a new society and community for each guest who visits the hotel,” stated CRÈME’s Design Director, Kohji Kawabata.

Masako Fukuoka, Studio Director of CRÈME added, “Having grown up in Kagoshima, I am proud to be part of the team that brought this amazing international hotel to life in my hometown. I feel it epitomizes the great spirit of Kagoshima. The design is modern, yet warm and thoughtful, creating an atmosphere of hospitality and inclusiveness that warmly welcomes locals and travelers alike.”

New Elevated Food & Beverage Experience
The hotel showcases Kagoshima’s distinctive local culinary scene with three restaurants and two bars. Located next to the atrium and lounge, &More by Sheraton functions as a bar, coffee bar and market display while creating a lobby focal point. Transitioning guests seamlessly from day to night with food & beverage options that are locally-sourced, the space introduces guests to local Kagoshima culture in a more nuanced way. Shelving in the main café dining area displays objects including traditional local crafts, such as incense boxes and Chosa dolls made for Sheraton Kagoshima. Recessed tile niches on the back wall of the banquette seating area feature illuminated Satsuma Kiriko glasses and local ceramics.

Daily Social, the hotel’s casual all-day dining area, features four contiguous spaces consisting of a bakery, hot kitchen, main dining space, seafood and cold bar, as well as Satsumagma, a speakeasy bar with a Japanese Izakaya concept. Inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, materials, and techniques, the spaces holistically present as one cohesive environment in spite of their unique functions and varying concepts. Accessed from the exterior door via a detour through the outside terrace, Satsumagma features illuminated artwork bottles displayed behind vertical oak lattice cabinet doors. The walls are composed of black tinted mirrors, Japanese ceramic look tiles, and vertical oak lattices.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, FLYING HOG GRILL, celebrates local cuisine with a menu featuring succulent Kurobuta black pork – a famous specialty of Kagoshima. The design alludes to Kagoshima’s dominant relationship to volcanic ash through layers of black juxtaposed with mountainous motifs. Details are inspired by Kagoshima craft, such as artwork inspired by Oshima Tsumugi kimono fabrics located behind the reception and live edge Yakusugi cedar inspired slab table tops. Located on the top floor, Flying Hog Grill provides diners with panoramic views of Sakurajima Island.

Adjacent to Flying Hog Grill is the refined greenhouse inspired bar, VIVARIUM. Suspended greenery references local plant species, softening the space and blurring indoor and outdoor boundaries, while an onsite greenhouse grows herbs to infuse into the venue’s drinks and dishes. An antique mirror on the back bar reflects the outdoor space and enables all visitors to enjoy the view of Kagoshima. Lounge chairs by CRÈME collaborator, Stellar Works, are upholstered in mint tones by Erica Shamrock textiles.

Club Lounges That Champion Productivity
The Sheraton Club Lounge, an exclusive space for Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and Club level guests, offers an elevated experience in which guests enjoy a comfortable atmosphere with local traditional design elements and a modern, western style. CRÈME drew inspiration from the Shimazu clan house in its conceptualization and Kagoshima’s traditional crafts are integrated in custom lighting and screen design, wall paneling, and floor pattern. The custom, built-in reception desk, which is accentuated by an oversized fabric artwork featuring deep red and blue dyed in the local Dorozome dyeing technique, and views of Sakurajima Island set the tone for a relaxing experience.

Gathering and Leisure Experiences
Monolithic surfaces and minimalistic design give a modern feel to the fifth-floor sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Adjacent to the nearby fitness center, the hotel’s spa includes natural hot spring pools, saunas, and foot baths. Inspired by traditional engawas, a covered corridor which runs around a building’s outside perimeter, there is a seamless indoor and outdoor transition and a strong connection to nature. Natural materials including granite and a narrow garden along the perimeter of the hot springs that continues into the footbath lounge to create unity.

Sheraton Kagoshima also offers event spaces, complete with a ballroom, a bridal salon and lounge in addition to the customary meeting spaces, totaling 4,960 square meters. The design of these spaces honor the natural influence of Japan’s topography, craft tradition and culture. Examples include wallcovering representing a slice of a volcanic rock, celebrating this beautiful island nation, while the ballroom’s unique lighting fixture design was inspired by ancient Japanese architectural wood bracket systems and the meeting room carpet is inspired by the rich variety of fabric patterns of the yukata, a summer version of the kimono.

About Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts makes it easy for guests to feel welcome at over 425 hotels and resorts in nearly 75 countries and territories around the world. As the most global brand within Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands sitting at the center of hundreds of communities around the world, Sheraton has a rich heritage in creating a sense of belonging for guests, wherever they are in the world. Sheraton is currently undergoing a major brand transformation, creating a signature community experience for the next generation of travelers and locals alike at properties across the globe. The new vision for Sheraton features intuitive design, tech-forward experiences, and upgrades to everything from public space and F&B to flexible meeting space. For more information, please visit www.sheraton.com, and stay connected on Facebook, and @sheratonhotels on Twitter and Instagram. Sheraton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About CRÈME
CRÈME is a collaboration of dynamic, international designers and creative professionals, founded by Jun Aizaki in 2004. With a multidisciplinary background in the design field, Aizaki and his team of talented designers work globally on a range of projects including furniture design, branding, restaurants, hotels and retail stores. Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Tokyo, Japan, the firm surrounds itself with both a local and global array of cultural influences and resources. CRÈME strives to meet the needs of each client and create successful, lasting spaces. CRÈME has been featured in The New York Times, Interior Design, Architect’s Newspaper, Metropolis, Dwell, BOB, Kinfolk, New York Magazine, Elle Décor, Hospitality Design and beyond.